BJP will win despite JD(U)-RJD-Congress alliance: Smriti Irani

Patna: Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani said the 'Secular Grand Alliance' of JD(U), RJD, Congress and SP will not work in the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections and BJP will win despite all their efforts.

"These forces had also come together during the Lok Sabha polls, but BJP led by Narendra Modi won. They have united again for the Assembly polls, but BJP will win despiteall their efforts," Irani said.

Top leaders of the alliance, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, RJD chief Lalu Prasad and SP leader Shivpal Singh Yadav had shared dais at a 'Swabhiman Rally' to put up a joint show of strength against the BJP.

Irani was speaking on the sidelines of a function, at which she launched one year certificate course in community health for the state in collaboration with National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).

"Our aim is to train 80,000 community health workers in Bihar every year. Class-X pass community health workers with zero to three years of experience will be eligible for it without leaving their jobs," she said.

The Minister said the course would contribute towards realizing the Prime Minister's dream of clean, healthy and strong India. Bihar has around four lakh health workers.

She said, "533 Primary Health Centres (PHC) functioning in blocks across the state will function as study centres of this programme and health workers working in themcan undergo training."

Talking about special students with hearing and speech disabilities, Irani said she has asked the Union Skill Development Ministry to develop special skills for such students.

"Such students are already self-dependent, but we want them to be able to support their families and etch their name in the society," Irani added.